San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-12-28

wealth. Possibly Miss Herbert might find
that she had grasped at the shadow and
lost the substance; and for the rest, she
would have done well TO omit any pretense
Of rejecting him Uawford) because she did
not love him, since love had no part or lot
In the question
With lips parched and hot, and dry, tear
less eyes, Valerie read that letter once,
twice, thrice through, every word soaring
her heart as with a hot iron-not because,
in truth, she deserved it, but because she
seemed to deserve it.
1T is not chivalrous-itis not generous"
she said, within herself. MAX Beaure-
gard would never have written like this to
any woman. 1t is cruel; and yet, If l were
the wretched fortune-hunter Aston Law
ford must believe me, it is not more harsh
than deserve. will not stoop to denial
A girl sunk SO low as seem to have sunk
would hardly hesitate at falsehood 10 save
her credit with her new prey. What does
it mattert" She rose up and flung out her
right arm with a reckless, defiant gesture.
LET all the world think what it pleases;
call me jilt, fortune-hunter, anything!
Since he must despise me-hold me shame
less, mercenary, heartless-and yet lvel
how should l care a jot, though the whole
universe cried shame upon mer'
CHAPTER xyxu.-vALERIE's OFFERING.
Not word of her new plans did the ju-
dicious Mrs. Langley breathe to Valerie.
That point-blank refusal of Mr.. Lawford's
suit had considerably startled aunt Con-
stance; and she felt convinced that, in her
present mood, Valerie would breathe def
ance, and might even rush back to Wei
ford, or run away with Louis Charters.
Things should be left to take their own
course; and as Max Beauregard was par
ticularly attractive man, instead Of being,
like Lawford, u cumbersome addition to
his world advantages, the desired match
might come about without any ostensible
wire-pulling.
Nor did Mrs Langley ask ifl.awford had
written; and when Valerie briefly told her
that he had, and that tie letter was de
stroyed, the elder lady expressed no an
noyance. She had no wish to force forward
the subject she had at heart and she was
infinitely relieved at escaping an interview
with Lawford; for, to do a Gishonorable act
Is one thing; to be convicted Of it, face to
face, another.
4hduy a luce llllSSCu Nv
Henley Regatta, for not few among the
"Olympian circles" boosted connection
with the ancient house OF Beauregard; and
friends, too, held aloof, for on the last day
Of the regatta Gerald Beauregard was
buried at AbbOt's Leigh, in the grand old
Gothic chapel where slumbered so many
generations Of brave and fair Beauregards.
Two days previously Lady ElinOr had
written herself to Mrs. Langley, asking
her to be present and Mrs. Langley went.
81 almost wish" she said to Valerie,
that Elinor had asked you, too; but you
are too young for such sorrowful scene.
and of course there are so many"
II would not have gone If l had been
asked" Valerie answered, briefly.
Mrs Langley scarcely liked the tone in
which this was said. Was the girl going
to prove failure after allS But the diplo-
matist said no more.
But when the flowers which Mrs. Lang
ley was going to take with her were being
packed, Valerie, looking very white in her
morning garments, came in, with an ex-
Quisite cross of the loveliest flowers that
taste could select
Aunt Constance" she said, her dark
eyes full of tears, will you take this with
you, and ask them to lay it in the grave"
ooh, Valerie!' said Mrs. Langley, under
her breath, what a perfectly beautiful
cross! Where did you get it,"
81 bought the flowers, and made it my
self"
my dear Valerie, no florist could have
surpassed thisl Elinor, and Max, too, will
be very pleased that you sent I'll
nd fnr Nav hat haH ham rf1oHa
with many tears and infinite tenderness Of
care.
ASK them to lay 1t in the grave" the
girl had said. 1t might be that Max's own
hand would lay it in the grave among the
hundreds of floral offerings from relatives,
friends, tenants, counting 1t less worth
than any. Never mind; 1t was a precious
offering from heart to heart, though only
one heart knew it; it might w1ther and die,
yet It would be deathless; lost, forgotten.
in the multitude of its fellows, but one
day, when death was no more, Max would
know.
When Mrs. Langley reached AbbOt's
Leigh she was shown into Lady Elinor's
boudoir, where the widow, in deepest weeds
sat alone; and by-and-by, when Lady Eli
nor had wept abundantly, and explained
how all had happened, and how Max had
proved himself the hest Of nurses to his
brother, and the best of brothers to her
(Elinor), Mrs. Langley opened her boxes
of flowers, which had been brought into
the room for Lady Elinor to see; and as she
did so there was gentle tap at the door,
and Colonel Beauregard came in.
He looked somewhat haggard and stern,
and perhaps even paler than usual but he
was not man to wear his heart on his
sleeve, and so there was little outward
change.
Flowers" he said, when he had greeted
Mrs. Langley. "This is kindr'
And oh, what an exquisite cross" said
Lady Einor, clasping her hands.
"Ah, that" said Mrs. Langley, sis from
Valerie. She made it with her own hands,
and begged me to ask them to lay it in the
grave"
Dear child how kind! how thoughtfuln'
But Max said nothing. Was he, too,
pleased and toucheds Mrs. Langley could
not tell. He was bending over the flow
ers; and when he lifted his face it was I'M
revealing.
isn't it lovely cross, Maxi" said his
sister-in-law, turning to him.
"lt is perfect" he answered. LET me
take it, Nellie, and this wreath" He raised
the two offerings from their snowy bed,
and went out of the room, and took his way
to the chapel.
Without it was still daylight: but day
was banished from the chapel by the heavy
violet draperies; but there was light at the
altar, and just below the chancel steps
stood the bier, and on it the coffin, with its
rich, emblazoned pail, six tall tapers at the